The Marenon Chronicles Collection - By Jason D. Morrow Page 0,21

the name Barton Teague. It was a name of power and recognition in Marenon and it helped us gain a lot of support in a time of need. The disappearance of Barton Teague, while Garland Ainsley took care of young Silas on Earth was no coincidence. The boy is not my son; he is my grandson and I was the only family he had at that time. I felt I was the only one that should take him to keep him from the destructive influence of the Stühocs.

“Now, that protection has diminished. Two of the possessed killed me two days ago and now I am here, back to Marenon and in the Dunarian’s service. I sent Kaden to protect the boy, and bring back the medallion as we had planned when Silas was a baby. The fate of the boy is in Kaden’s hands now. Silas is a big part of Operation Reckoning.”

“A very big part,” councilman Darius Umar said.

Teague nodded. “Without Silas, The Reckoning cannot exist. It is an operation that he will eventually have to finish himself.”

Julian sat with his eyes fixed on the table in front of him. He didn't like that Teague had just taken over like this. He understood the circumstances were dire, but Holden shouldn't have let him walk all over the council. He drummed his fingers on the side of his chair repeatedly as he listened to Holden and the others talk. Nalani placed a calming hand on his, but it did not have the desired effect that he suspected she wanted. Unable to contain himself any longer, he stood and all eyes once again fell on Julian.

“I'm sorry Sir Teague, but what is it that we are supposed to do now? Do you want us to abandon what we've been doing now that you are here?”

“What you've been doing has been part of the plan for many years. I left the plans for The Reckoning with Kaden seventeen years ago for him to begin implementation when the time was right. That time has come and that’s why you have been sent to retrieve the medallions. I expect you to move forward with what you have been working toward and get the rest of them.”

“And what about Silas?” Julian asked.

“Silas Ainsley is not your concern, Julian,” Ward Holden said. “Your next mission is to travel to Farlaweer and try to obtain possession of another medallion.”

Julian nodded. “You don’t have to remind me of my duties.”

“Silas is being taken care of by Kaden,” Holden continued, “and that should be good enough for you.”

“How many of the medallions do we have?” Garland asked, sensing the tension.

Holden looked down, and hesitated briefly. “As you just said, we only recently began operations in obtaining them.”

Garland waited.

“Julian has just met with a group to help us acquire the medallion from Timugo,” Holden said, “and as I mentioned he will soon be on his way to Farlaweer to meet with the king. How he plans to get the medallion is a mystery to me still, but he says he is confident.”

Julian nodded. “I am.”

“The king has no love for you or the Dunarians,” Holden said. “He will not simply hand it over.”

“I am aware of the king’s feelings,” Julian bristled. “I don’t need you to convey them to me.”

Holden then motioned to Nalani. “Councilwoman Nalani Geldwin has been planning and extensive operation to get into Voelif and attempt to take the medallion from that territory.”

Garland looked confused for a moment. “You mean, you're trying to steal the medallions?” he asked.

Silence.

“I thought I made it clear that we were to obtain them by gaining allies, and using them to unite against the Stühocs!” Garland was now on his feet, his jaws clenched. “That is what this has been about from the beginning! We Dunarians cannot, nor have we ever been able to fight the Stühocs on our own. We are too small. And to think that we can be successful by stealing from our potential allies is completely ridiculous!”

“With all due respect,” Holden began, “We have attempted to-”

“I don't want to hear it! What have you turned this council into?”

Holden hesitated, and then spoke. “Kaden is the council leader, my lord,” he said, eyes still fixed on the floor.

“This council works as one,” Garland said. “At least it did when I was in command. You're using hirelings; you're doing covert operations. How are you expecting to gain any allies?” He stopped only to catch his breath. His red face was